Arsenal are expected to make a move to sign Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.
The trusted journalist claims that the Gunners have turned their attentions towards the Ukrainian international as they look at potential alternatives to Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez:
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal working on deal to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City. Clubs in talks, #MCFC open to sale if valuation met. #AFC would also need to agree personal terms. Versatile 25yo now priority for Arteta after missing Martinez @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/e3r0Xmyh67
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 14, 2022
There has been a mixed reaction to the news on Twitter. Some fans believe Zinchenko is a talented footballer who would fit in well at the Emirates, while others have questioned his defensive capabilities:
Perfect signing if it happens,never understood how we would buy a 50m center back to be Tierney substitute in the first place
— Arnooo (@Arnooo14) July 14, 2022
Will be a very good signing..we need such mentality.
— TG Banks (Who does Dat) (@amtgbanks) July 14, 2022
He may be versatile but not good enough at LB
— ♈ Howie CEO🇯🇲♈ (@DynobriT) July 14, 2022
He's just perfect
— Sugamite™ (@Sugamite2) July 14, 2022
He's not good defensively
— Swaisat 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱 (@swaidsis) July 14, 2022
I was wondering why did we waste time on martinez when zinchenko is there for the taking with is premier league experience and winning mentality
— Osas Omos (@OsasOmos4) July 14, 2022
Do you remember, Willian who was a serial trophy winner at Chelsea? The truth is these players are a small cog in that winning machine and not great difference makers on their own.
— JJ (@JaykrishnanGp) July 14, 2022
i literally cannot think of something negative about him, he seems like an amazing person to have in the dressing room too
— AFCBailey (@baileyxfree) July 14, 2022
It remains to be seen if Arsenal can agree a fee for Zinchenko. It is believed that City would be open to selling the defender so a deal is definitely on the cards.
Manager Mikel Arteta is also said to be keen on working with the 25-year-old once again but there are some question marks about the player’s transfer stance. The Ukrainian plays in midfield for his country and that is reportedly his preferred position. It isn’t known whether he’d be open to moving to a club where he’d ostensibly be used as a fullback.